Over the weekend, the Times used all of the buzz surrounding the inauguration frenzy down in DC to spin out the age-old question, "Is New York over?" The article focused in on the doom and gloom of late around town (jobs being lost, shops closing down) to question whether we're all collectively basking in an "ambient bummer." Apparently LA isn't slowing down as they keep "spinning out hits" like Gran Torino and Bride Wars (was Hollywood expected to shut down?). Ultimately it's one of those pieces that takes no real stance, citing prodigal daughter Joan Didion calling the city "over" 40 years ago. But the article still manages to speculate that we're “definitely shedding whatever New York was a few years ago.” Not to celebrate the tanking economy, but if one of those things we're shedding is "people complaining about $20 cocktails or $300 bottle service," is it possible that we're righting our course?